Obituary: David Hill

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David Hill, 63, died Jan. 25, 2013, at his home. He was born April 29, 1949, in St. Louis, Mo., to Herold and Dorothy Hill.

David grew up in Florissant, a suburb of St. Louis. He met his wife, Barbara, at Southeast Missouri State College. After marriage and the birth of their son, Krispin, they settled in the University City area of St. Louis. When the company they both worked for downsized, they began to move in search of jobs. This took them to Huntington Beach, Calif., where Dave eventually returned to college.

When he was awarded a full scholarship to University of California at Berkeley, the family moved north to Concord. After graduation, Dave joined the Concord Parks and Recreation staff and became an inspiring, championship winning coach in both football and basketball for elementary and junior high boys.

Barbara was hired as an English teacher at Truckee High, and they lived in Truckee for 10 years, moving to the Sierra Brooks area of Loyalton on his birthday in 2000. He enjoyed retirement by riding the mower, learning what was on the internet, and, of course, watching sports on TV or in person. His grandson Dorian was the love of his life.

As a genuine sports scholar and fan, Dave believed deeply in St. Louis sports teams - baseball and football Cardinals, then Rams, while still clinging to the football Cardinals after their move to Arizona.

In the evangelist tent of collegiate sports, Dave testified for his school team, the California Golden Bears, but always surrendered his soul to his true home team, the Missouri Tigers. The Black and Gold Mizzou fan tradition has been passed on to two more generations.